Diffusion-block for subsoil irrigation.



B. ZILL'EPU.

DIFFUSION BLOCK FOE SUBSOIL 13mm ION.

APPLICATION FILED D126. 14, 1909.

968,225, Patented; Aug. 2-3, 1910.

lad,

, To all whom it may concern:

a ing the diffusion block,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BESSIE ZILLER, 0F AUSTIN, TEXAS.

mrrUs'Ion-Bmcx FOB. SUBSOIL IRRIGATION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 14, 1909. Serial No. 533,031.

Be it known that I, BESSIE ZILLER, citizen of the United States, residing at Austin, in the county of Travis and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Diffusion-Blocks for Subsoil Irrigation, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates. to means for distributing water beneath the soil, and particularly to a sub-soil diffusion block which is adaptedto be placed beneath a perforated pipe-to receive the water dropping therefrom and to distribute the water in all directions through the soil immediately surroundthe invention consisting essentially in a block composed of a mass of irregular particles touching each other at separated points and cemented to each other at their points of contact, thereby providing'interstices ramifying in all directions through the block to permit the pas- 'sa e of water through the block.

he main trouble that has been encountered in sub-soil irrigation by perforated pipes is that roots, seeking water enter the pipe and ruin it. This is emphasized in a recently published article by W. L. Rockwell, a Government irrigation expert who says:. In southern California no expense has been spared in investigation seeking the most practical and economical methods of water distribution and sub-irrigation. Sub-irrigation for truckfarms is bein successfully practiced over large acreages, but the growers have been unable to make-a success of sub-irrigation in the growth of trees or vines or any deep-rooted perennial crop for the reason that they havefound it impossible to prevent the entrance of roots into the pipe.v My invention has been constructed with this particular ditliculty in view, and the diflusion block is so formed that while it permits the diffusion of water in all directions, it will prevent the entrance of roots, into the pipe and consequent dama e.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, and to acquire .a knowledge of the details of construction, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective View of one form of my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse sec; tion thereof, the non-porous layer at the bottom of the block being omitted; Fig. 3

The pipe may be made of cement, earthenware, or other material.

2 designates a block, preferably rectangu lar in plan, and formed so as to be extremely porous. As shown, this block is composed of large particles of gravel of more or less uniform size, this gravel being conglomerated by a binder which is applied to the face of the gravel and which causes one particle .of gravel to adhere to the next adjacent particle at one or two points only, the irregular space between the particles of gravel not being filled with cement. This construction affords a block which provides for a multiplicity of ramifying channels or interstices extending in all directions, as shown in Fig. 3. In order to manufacture these porous blocks particles of solid matter are selected, having a more or less uniform size. This solid'material may be shells, crushed stone, gravel, cinders, or any other like material composed of more or less irregular particles of a relatively large size; The particles of this material are coated with a thin layer of cementitious material. The mass is then placed within a mold, the cement or binder binding said coated particles to form a discontinuous mass, the particles of which touch each other only at separated points, thus leaving a large number ofdrregular and tortuous passages extending through the'mass and around each particle. A mass of this character is permeated in all directions by these tortuous channels, and consequently when one of the channels is closed by any chance, there will'be many more channels leading therefrom through which water may pass. Thus, the mass is consistently porous throughout its whole extent, not merely porous in places, as would be the case were it formed with artificial passages. Preferably, the form of the block is rectangular in plan, the upper surface being curved, as at 3, for engagement with the bottom of the pipe, while the center of the block is formed with a depression a con-- stituting a water-collecting chamber. If

Patented Aug. 23, 1910.

20 described, and the soil is fed from all side's intervals desired. It is only necessary to i pierce the pipe with a passage 6, the chambar t being located in register with this passa e. a :3 in operation, when the water enters the chamber 4: from the pipe A the air is forced out'ahead, andthe chamber becomes filledwith Water which, from this reservoir is then distributed evenly throughout, the entire mass and'finds an exit through the interstices between the pebbles as previously as by a, s onge which is being constantly replenishe by Water passing through the-pipe A, through SQ into the chamber 4. I The advantages of my invention are as follows: The block forms no part of the pipe, and hence there is no such difliculty in manufacturlng the block as is found. in manufacturin porous pipe of the, same class. In, malring porous pipe, partly or d entirely of gravel or like material, the pipe has to be left in the mold to set, before it aan be removed, which neccssi-tates'a great number of molds, considerable expense and great inconvenience. This inconvenience is not encountered in. the manufacture of this porous ,difiusion block... The block is cast- -with the-curved face down, and the bottom ,bein flat, it is simply turned out of the. mol onto a board, and left to dry. Thus a 40 great number can be made in a short" time and at little expense. Being no part of the pipe, it canbe attached to any pipe or to any dpart of a pipe, as circumstances de man by simply punching a small hole in the ipe and placin the device so as to exten across the opening thus formed. Therefore,'it can be placed on pipe that is already beneath the soil, Whether the pipe be vitri lied pipe, cement pipe, or whatever its na- 59 tare. In other words, these diifusion blocks can be placed in the desired locations, asfar apart onthe pipe "as desired, and on any character of pipe. In case of'accident to the blocks, these blocks can be removed and 55 new ones substituted, without removing the pipe or'in any Way interfering with it. Inasmuch as the number of these blocks is not limited, as many may be placed upon a pipe I or line of pipe as the character of the soil that is to be irrigated demands. It will thus be seen that the'diii'usionbloclts have in this respect considerable advantage over perforated pipes for this purpose; are more or less uniformly porous, and the degree of their porosity can be changed to suit varying ciror cultivator, and furthermore, the block acts as a support to the pipe, giving it a solid," flat foundation upon which to rest, thus tending to prevent the pipe from settling and so becoming leaky.

As before stated, these diffusion blocks are constructed with particular regard to preventing the entrance of roots into'the pipe,

- and the consequent damage thereto. Tobe successful in this respect,a"pipe mustdischarge its water from the bottom. This is true, because in no other way can a pipe empty itself of every drop oiwater, and unless it is entirely emptied, the water which remains in the pipe will seep through in places and attract roots, and thus the pi e will shortly be split and ruined. Mydi u-v vsion blocks permitting the holes tobe formed in the bottom of the pipe, the pipe will always empty itself, and when the Water is out off, What remains in the pi '6 will continue to flow out through the 'oles in the bottom of the pipefpassing out through the chamber 4: and thence through the diffusion block, intothe soil. Thereason why the roots Will not seek the openingsb in the pipe, is that the block will hold no water,

and hence the block will be no more moist than all the soil around it. After thewater is cut off, thepipe-itself and the-block, beneath become dry, and therefore do not attract roots. It might be supposed thatthe pipe could be laid withoutthe block, and

.have simply'a rowof holes in its bottom through-Which the Water would flow and enter the soil. While this could be done, the

water passes through the holes and forms a jet and ;1nakes a puddle beneath the pipe,

and the onrushiug fiow ofwater down the pipe will soon draw slush up into the pipe,. through the opening 6.

Furtherya proper. diffusion of water could not be secured in this way, inasmuch as'in order to secure this proper diffusion, as'inuch surface as possible" must be wet. It is this thatmakes' the chamber' l of great importance. -It being" larger than the opening 6 in the pipe, it"presents a larger area for action. No dirt can be suckedup into thepipe, "as thisv chamber communicates with the outside surfacewf the block through the many passages, and

- thus distributes the draw of the water until scenes 1 were to he placed beneath the opening to the pipe, there would he no Way of knowing Whether or not one of the grains or perticles had become located directly beneath. the opening 6 and soclosed it up that the Water could not get out. The same would be more or less true if the mass of gravel was formed into a block and no chamber dwas provided.

By providing this cup-sheped depression 4t,

it is impossible tol olostruct theopening 6 from without. 'A further advantege of this cup-shaped depression orlchember is that if.

any one or several of the openings leading from the cup should become clogged, there 15; a nude area. 1n the cup filled with like openings and many other passages will always be open for the passage of Water from the cup outward.

Another advantage incident to the use of these diffusion blocks is that Whereas a pipe perforated at intervals upon its bottom and resting upon the ground or supported at its ends so that a. space would be left between the bottom of the pipe and the earth, would be weakened to such' an extent that the pipe would he very liable to burst under pres sure, or crack, by the use of my difiusion blocks it is ossible to erii'orate a i e at a a P P number of places along its bottom, Without weakening the plpe, forthe reason that, the pipe, immediately around the perforation,

is fully supported by the diliusion block, While the difi'usion block would prevent the earth from collecting immediately around the perforation of the pipe and from stop ping up the openingthereof.

YWhile i have shown my difinsion block as dieing applied beneath a, pipe, it is of course obvious that the block nnght be applied to other ortions of the pipe if circumstances ten ercd it necessary, as wouldv sometimes be the case. Neither do I Wish to be limited to the precise form of the block shown, as the form of the block might be varied in many Ways Without departing from the'principle-of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, whet I claim is:

1. As an article of 'lnanufecture, e sub-soil diffusion block composed of a mess of irregular particles touching each. other at separated points and cemented to each other only at their points of contact, thereby providing interstices rainiiying in all direotions through the block to permit the'passage of Water through the block.

2. As an article of mm'lufactorc, a sub-soil diffusion block composed of a mass of solid particles, seid particles being each coated with a layer of cenientitious material, said particles touching each other only at"'seperated points and adhering together at these points to form a discontinuous mass, there- ;end composed of e niessol by providing interstices remiit'ying in all di rections throiigh the block to permit the passage of Water throughthe block.

3. As an article of manufacture,- a saith soil diliusion block composed of mess oi? solid particles touch ng each other only separated points, and ceinentztious materiel disposed at said contacting points and cans mg sold particles to adhere to each other at such points, thereby providing interstices between the particles remii'ying in all directions through the bioclcand opening upon the outer face of the block;

As an article out manufacture, a sub soil difi'usion-block composed. of a mess of.

solid particles touching each other only {Li separated points, end cerncntitioos mete rial disposed at said contacting points and causing said particles to adhere to each other at such points, thereby providing intcrstices between the particles romitying in all directions, said block having a, Water col loot-ion chamber in itsnpper face,

5. As en erticle-Jof nieiuifecture, e soh-- soil difiusion block composed oi n mess of solid particles touching each other only at separated points, end'cenientitioos material disposed at said contacting points thereby providing interstices between the particles rainiiying in all directions, said block lmv- .ing s, substentiellyconcave :n pporflfscc formed Withe depression forming at water collection chambe i 6. As an article of manufacture, a subsoil diffusion block composed of a mess of solid particles touching each other only at separated points, and ceinentitious materiel disposed at said contacting points and cansing said particles to adhere to each other It ll at such Joints thereb rovidin interstices s an between the particles .reniifying in ell die reactions, seid block heviny e concave upper race with e depression-1n ti o center forming a Water collection chamber and 3, flat lower face, the lower face being covered with e 1 pi. e 1

points izze 

